Sugar cookies are a holiday favorite with a low ingredient list and endless decorating possibilities.

Spicing up the traditional recipe also yields many options. These maple sugar cookies will have just the right hint of extra flavor without the addition of sugary frosting.

What you need:

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 cup real maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease cookie sheets with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add the egg, syrup and vanilla into the bowl and mix until well blended.

3. Sift together the dry ingredients starting with the flour, salt and baking soda. Stir this slowly into the bowl of wet ingredients until well blended.

4. Shape dough into one inch balls, then roll them in sugar until coated evenly. Place the dough onto the sprayed cookie sheets, about two inches apart. Flatten slightly to help shape the cookies when cooking.

3. Bake for eight to 10 minutes. Remove from hot cookie sheet and let cool on wire rack.

This recipe was adapted from allrecipes.com.